NGT cracks whip on erring stone crushers to shield Shivalik Hills in Ropar

Chandigarh: Cracking down on stone crushers violating environmental norms to protect the fragile Shivalik Hills, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to strictly enforce its orders and recover environmental compensation from units found flouting pollution regulations in Ropar district.The bench of justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr A Senthil Vel passed the directions while disposing of a case relating to illegal mining in the Shivalik Hills in the Beet area of Garhshankar sub-division, where unchecked extraction was ongoing.
Based on disclosures made in a report submitted by the PPCB, 13 stone crushers were found to be operating in violation of norms and allegedly indulging in illegal mining. The board informed the tribunal that action was initiated against all 13 units. The measures included the imposition of environmental compensation. Closure directions were issued under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Criminal complaints were also filed against the stone crushers and the persons responsible under the provisions of the Water Act. Taking note of the action taken, the tribunal directed the board to ensure strict compliance with the closure orders and to recover the remaining environmental compensation from the violators. Observing that other stone crushers were also operating in the area, the tribunal further directed the PPCB to inspect the remaining units and ascertain their compliance with the consent to operate conditions.‘Verify source of raw material'The tribunal also asked the board to verify the source of raw material of these stone crushers, especially with reference to the provisions of the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Act, 2025, the Punjab State Minor Mineral (Amendment) Policy, 2025, and the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Rules, 2025, and to take action against the remaining stone crusher units operating in violation of the norms. The tribunal has directed the board to complete the entire exercise within three months, and submit an action taken report before the registrar general. MSID:: 128642562 413 |